Worried parents seek support from helpline

More parents than ever are seeking support to help keep their children safe and well.

ParentLine Scotland has reported that calls from parents increased by 12% over the past year.

The helpline – which is run by charity Children 1st - offers support to parents on issues such as wellbeing, health, relationships, behaviour and parenting.

Mary Glasgow, acting chief executive of the charity, said the health and wellbeing of their children was a major concern for parents.

"Many people live further away from their extended families and many parents and carers tell us they can feel very isolated," she said.

“Some families are desperate for support because their child is at crisis point, others are living in extremely stressful situations and others want a bit of help with the everyday ups and downs of being a parent or carer.”

Contact, residence and legal issues, children's behaviour and concerns about safety were among the top issues that families sought support on.

Jackie Gallagher, ParentLine volunteer and supervisor, said: "If a service like ParentLine had been there for my mum, it would have made all the difference.

“My mum did the best she could, but her life hadn't worked out the way she wanted. She had nobody to talk to about it and that damaged her permanently. And that meant my childhood was sad, awful, anxious and very lonely.”

ParentLine Scotland is available on 08000 28 22 33 or through an online chat service.

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.